Career and Education Opportunities for Medical Equipment Technicians in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Medical equipment technicians can find many career and educational opportunities in the Cambridge, Massachusetts area. About 1,190 people are currently employed as medical equipment technicians in Massachusetts. By 2016, this is expected to grow 12% to about 1,330 people employed. This is not quite as good as the national trend for medical equipment technicians, which sees this job pool growing by about 12.8% over the next eight years. Medical equipment technicians generally prepare, sterilize, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment.

Medical equipment technicians earn approximately $15 per hour or $32,990 yearly on average in Massachusetts. Nationally they average about $13 hourly or $28,410 yearly. Incomes for medical equipment technicians are not quite as good as in the overall category of Medical and Dental Assistance in Massachusetts, and not quite as good as the overall Medical and Dental Assistance category nationally. Medical equipment technicians work in a variety of jobs, including: sterilizer, sanitarian aide, and central service worker.

There are nineteen schools within twenty-five miles of Cambridge where you can study to be a medical equipment technician, among 149 schools of higher education total in the Cambridge area. Medical equipment technicians usually hold a high school diploma or GED, so it will take only a short time to learn to be a medical equipment technician if you already have a high school diploma.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Medical Equipment Technician

Medical Equipment Technician video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, medical equipment technicians prepare, sterilize, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. They also may perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.

Medical equipment technicians clean instruments to ready them for sterilization. They also report faulty apparatus to appropriate supervisors or staff. Equally important, medical equipment technicians have to record sterilizer test results. They are often called upon to operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed. They are expected to attend hospital in-service programs pertaining to areas of work specialization. Finally, medical equipment technicians examine apparatus to uncover leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.

Every day, medical equipment technicians are expected to be able to evaluate problems as they arise. They need to listen to and understand others in meetings. It is also important that they see details at a very fine level of focus.

It is important for medical equipment technicians to start apparatus and observe gauges and apparatus operation to uncover malfunctions and to insure apparatus is operating to prescribed standards. They are often called upon to maintain records of inventory and apparatus usage. They also disinfect and sterilize apparatus such as respirators and oxygen and dialysis apparatus, using sterilizers and washers. They are sometimes expected to purge wastes from apparatus by connecting apparatus to water sources and flushing water through systems. Somewhat less frequently, medical equipment technicians are also expected to organize and assemble routine and specialty surgical instrument trays and other sterilized supplies, filling special requests as needed.

Medical equipment technicians sometimes are asked to examine apparatus to uncover leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair. And finally, they sometimes have to record sterilizer test results.

Like many other jobs, medical equipment technicians must be thorough and dependable and believe in cooperation and coordination.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Cambridge include:

Dental Assistant. Assist dentist, set up patient and equipment, and keep records.

Medical Assistant. Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Medical Equipment Technician Training

Millennium Training Institute - Woburn, MA

Millennium Training Institute, 600 West Cummings Park, Suite 2550, Woburn, MA 01801. Millennium Training Institute is a small school located in Woburn, Massachusetts. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs. It has 107 students and an admission rate of 83%. Millennium Training Institute has a less than one year program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated three students in 2008.

Bay State College - Boston, MA

Bay State College, 122 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02116. Bay State College is a small college located in Boston, Massachusetts. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 732 students and an admission rate of 78%. Bay State College has an associate's degree program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated eighteen students in 2008.

Massasoit Community College - Brockton, MA

Massasoit Community College, One Massasoit Boulevard, Brockton, MA 02302-3996. Massasoit Community College is a medium sized college located in Brockton, Massachusetts. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 7,394 students. Massasoit Community College has a one to two year program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated fourteen students in 2008.

Northern Essex Community College - Haverhill, MA

Northern Essex Community College, 100 Elliott Street, Haverhill, MA 01830-2399. Northern Essex Community College is a medium sized college located in Haverhill, Massachusetts. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 7,020 students. Northern Essex Community College has a one to two year program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated twenty-one students in 2008.

Everest Institute-Brighton - Brighton, MA

Everest Institute-Brighton, 1505 Commonwealth Ave, Brighton, MA 02135-3605. Everest Institute-Brighton is a small school located in Brighton, Massachusetts. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs. It has 180 students and an admission rate of 45%. Everest Institute-Brighton has a less than one year program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated 160 students in 2008.

Fisher College - Boston, MA

Fisher College, 118 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02116. Fisher College is a small college located in Boston, Massachusetts. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 1,262 students and an admission rate of 62%. Fisher College has a one to two year and an associate's degree program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated five and three students respectively in 2008.

Massachusetts Bay Community College - Wellesley Hills, MA

Massachusetts Bay Community College, 50 Oakland St, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-5399. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a medium sized college located in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 4,975 students. Massachusetts Bay Community College has a less than one year program in Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Other Specialties which graduated twelve students in 2008.

The Salter School-Tewksbury Campus - Tewksbury, MA

The Salter School-Tewksbury Campus, 515 Woburn Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876. The Salter School-Tewksbury Campus is a small school located in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 299 students. The Salter School-Tewksbury Campus has a one to two year program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated 102 students in 2008.

Quinsigamond Community College - Worcester, MA

Quinsigamond Community College, 670 West Boylston Street, Worcester, MA 01606-2092. Quinsigamond Community College is a medium sized college located in Worcester, Massachusetts. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 7,227 students. Quinsigamond Community College has a one to two year program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated thirteen students in 2008.

Medical Professional Institute - Malden, MA

Medical Professional Institute, 388 Pleasant Street, 3rd Floor, Malden, MA 02148-8143. Medical Professional Institute is a small school located in Malden, Massachusetts. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 84 students. Medical Professional Institute has a less than one year program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated sixteen students in 2008.

North Shore Community College - Danvers, MA

North Shore Community College, 1 Ferncroft Rd, Danvers, MA 01923-0840. North Shore Community College is a medium sized college located in Danvers, Massachusetts. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 7,223 students. North Shore Community College has a less than one year program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated fifteen students in 2008.

Bunker Hill Community College - Boston, MA

Bunker Hill Community College, 250 New Rutherford Ave, Boston, MA 02129-2925. Bunker Hill Community College is a medium sized college located in Boston, Massachusetts. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 9,500 students. Bunker Hill Community College has a less than one year program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated forty-six students in 2008.

Lincoln Technical Institute - Somerville, MA

Lincoln Technical Institute, 5 Middlesex Ave, Somerville, MA 02145. Lincoln Technical Institute is a small school located in Somerville, Massachusetts. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 385 students. Lincoln Technical Institute has a less than one year program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated 151 students in 2008.

Middlesex Community College - Bedford, MA

Middlesex Community College, Springs Rd, Bedford, MA 01730-9124. Middlesex Community College is a medium sized college located in Bedford, Massachusetts. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 8,511 students. Middlesex Community College has a less than one year and an associate's degree program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated six and five students respectively in 2008.

Kaplan Career Institute - Charlestown, MA

Kaplan Career Institute, 570 Rutherford Ave, Charlestown, MA 02129. Kaplan Career Institute is a small school located in Charlestown, Massachusetts. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 550 students. Kaplan Career Institute has a less than one year program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated forty-two students in 2008.

Lincoln Technical Institute - Lowell, MA

Lincoln Technical Institute, 211 Plain St, Lowell, MA 01852. Lincoln Technical Institute is a small school located in Lowell, Massachusetts. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 260 students. Lincoln Technical Institute has a one to two year program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated 132 students in 2008.

Salter College-West Boylston - West Boylston, MA

Salter College-West Boylston, 184 West Boylston Suite # 1, West Boylston, MA 01583. Salter College-West Boylston is a small college located in West Boylston, Massachusetts. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 2-year programs and has 852 students. Salter College-West Boylston has a one to two year and an associate's degree program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated 187 and six students respectively in 2008.

The Salter School-Malden Campus - Malden, MA

The Salter School-Malden Campus, 2 Florence St, Malden, MA 02148. The Salter School-Malden Campus is a small school located in Malden, Massachusetts. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 423 students. The Salter School-Malden Campus has a one to two year program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated forty students in 2008.

Southeastern Technical Institute - South Easton, MA

Southeastern Technical Institute, 250 Foundry St, South Easton, MA 02375. Southeastern Technical Institute is a small school located in South Easton, Massachusetts. It is a public school with primarily less-than 2-year programs. It has 138 students and an admission rate of 33%. Southeastern Technical Institute has a one to two year program in Medical/Clinical Assistant which graduated twenty students in 2008.

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor:
The CBSPD is committed to the certification of healthcare sterile processing and distribution personnel regardless of their workplace setting.

Biomedical Electronics Technician:
Biomedical electronics technicians are expected to obtain knowledge of the principles of modern biomedical techniques, the proper procedure in the care, handling and maintenance of biomedical equipment and to display an attitude/behavior expected of an electronics technician who works in a hospital or healthcare environment.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cambridge, Massachusetts photo by Scs

Cambridge is located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It has a population of over 105,596, which has grown by 4.2% in the past ten years. The cost of living index in Cambridge, 142, is far greater than the national average. New single-family homes in Cambridge are priced at $1,078,700 on average, which is far greater than the state average. In 2008, twelve new homes were constructed in Cambridge, down from twenty-five the previous year.

The top three industries for women in Cambridge are educational services, professional, scientific, and technical services, and health care. For men, it is educational services, professional, scientific, and technical services, and health care. The average travel time to work is about 24 minutes. More than 65.1% of Cambridge residents have a bachelor's degree, which is higher than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 38.5%, is higher than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Cambridge is 5.6%, which is less than Massachusetts's average of 8.4%.

The percentage of Cambridge residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 73.6%, is more than both the national and state average. Western Avenue Baptist Church, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Chapel and Cambridgeport Baptist Church are some of the churches located in Cambridge. The largest religious groups are the Catholic Church, the United Church of Christ and the Episcopal Church.

Cambridge is home to the Great Court and the Cutter Square as well as John A Ahern Field and Sheridan Square. Shopping malls in the area include Porter Square Shopping Center, The Atrium Shopping Center and Cambridgeside Galleria Shopping Center.